Lawmakers Want Feds To Protect Lower Snake River Dams

The Lower Granite Dam, one of four lower Snake River dams in Southwestern Washington. A Senate joint memorial calls on federal officials, including President Trump, to stop any attempt at breaching those dams. Photo: friendsoftheclearwater.org

Nine months after a U.S. District Court ruling demanded three federal agencies consider breaching four Lower Snake River dams to protect threatened salmon and steelhead species, some state lawmakers want the federal government to halt any such proposal.

SJM 8004 calls on President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Congress, the federal Bureau of Reclamation, and the Army Corps of Engineers to “take any and all action within your authority to prevent the breaching of any dam in the Columbia River system.”

SJM 8004 chief sponsor is State Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-35), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Telecommunications, where a panel majority approved it during a Thursday, February 1 executive session. The bill has 11 Republican cosponsors, including Senate Majority Leader State Sen. Mark Schoesler (R-9) and Majority Leader Vice President Pro Tempore State Sen. Jim Honeyford (R-15).

The bill wrestles with one aspect of a larger discussion about the recovery of 15 Washington salmon species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, some of which must navigate the Snake River dams in Southwestern Washington. However, recent federal studies show that the survival rates for many of the species moving through those dams are at their highest in decades, with some even approaching full recovery levels. Recent testimony by state officials also suggest other natural elements might be to blame for the low salmon populations in the region.

Sheldon: Dams Critical For Agriculture

The four lower Snake River dams are Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, and Lower Granite. Sheldon told colleagues at a January 31 public hearing that agriculture in the basin relies on the irrigation provided by these dams, in addition to the Clarkston-Lewiston Port, for transporting their produce to market. One irrigation association spokesperson has estimated that 350,000 acres of private sector agricultural lands would be affected by breaching the dams.

Sheldon added, “I think people that are involved in the industry, and those who receive power from it, whether they know it or not, are certainly going to be affected by that action if this could ever go forward.”

Honeyford agreed, highlighting the impact of the port’s closure should the dams be breached. “If you’re shipping grain, it’s usually payable at the port. If it goes by truck, it’s going to increase costs. Bottom line is, (a) farmer would have less income, because he’s paying more to get his product to the port.”

State Report: Some Snake River Salmon Recovering

A 2016 State of the Salmon Report presented by officials from Governor Jay Inslee’s Salmon Recovery Office January 19 to the Senate Natural Resources and Parks Committee showed inequitable salmon recovery rates among endangered Washington salmon and steelhead. Six species are increasing in population; two are Snake River salmon and steelhead. The Snake River fall chinook is one of two species approaching federally-approved recovery goals to take them off the endangered list. Four species’ populations remain stagnant, while another three continue to decline. However, none of them are Snake River species.

Although the 2016 report calls for salmon passage improvements to the dams, it did not recommend dam breaching.

In contrast, Judge Michael H. Simon insisted in his May ruling that a new environment impact statement due by March 2018 “may well require” breaching the Snake River dams to help endangered species recover. The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has concluded that doing this would cost $2.6 billion. BPA jointly operates the dams with the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. However, Congressional approval would be needed to breach the dams. Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-5) has already expressed commitment to preserving the dams.

Salmon Predators A Problem, Experts Say

In addition to the progress already made with some Snake River salmon populations, decision-makers might also take into consideration other factors that can negatively impact recovery. Predatory marine animals can consume half of adult spring chinook coming in from the ocean before they reach one of the Lower Snake River dams. That is according to Snake River Recovery Board Director Steve Martin, who told panel members January 19 that salmon predation “is a very significant challenge that we face today,” especially in the Snake River region.

“There are challenges out there, but we are making progress by adaptively managing the environment,” he said.

Salmon can also end their journeys prematurely in one of the 35,000-40,000 fish barriers located throughout the state on both private and public land, according to a January 24 joint presentation to the House Capital Budget Committee. That includes 996 culverts managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Of those, 884 affect “significant habitat,” with 475 requiring mitigation by 2030. The Fish Barrier Removal Board created by the state legislature in 2014 is requesting $20 million in the 2017-19 capital budget for 13 barrier removal projects planned along 43 miles of habitat. Two of them are in the Snake River region.

An estimated 6,500 fish barriers in culverts and bridges have been mitigated since 2000.

However, some fishing and conservation groups oppose SJM 8004, arguing the state should let the EIS determine what should be done to the dams. Save Our Salmon Coalition Executive Director Joseph Bogaard told panel members January 31 that the legislation turns “the potential removal of four high-cost, low-value dams on the lower snake river into a misleading defense or conversation about all the Columbia river projects in the basin.”

“We’ve got to find a better way forward,” he added. “I don’t know anyone who’s actively working to restore salmon by removing any of the dams on the Columbia River proper. Taxpayers deserve a full and fair assessment of its (dam breaching) true cost and benefits.”

Bogaard downplayed the power produced by the four dams in comparison to the total electricity generated in the region, saying they can be replaced by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. He added that rail could make up for the loss of the port, albeit “there would necessarily be some additional investments.”

However, Honeyford was skeptical of both proposals. He told Bogaard that “wind power is not effective or efficient in winter and summer, when the temperatures are high or low, when the demand is high, and so I think that would not be one that we would want to use.”

He added that “solar requires heavy subsidizations. Rail right now as I understand, along the Columbia, is probably pretty close to maximum, so I’m not sure that there would be much more traffic capability there.”

1 COMMENT

With out a doubt as a Commissioner at the Port of Lewiston Idaho I support SJM 8004 Legislation for all the reasons that are listed in the Joint Memorial.
Unfortunately living in Idaho and we can not vote for all you supporters but you certainly have our strong support!
We applaud the chief sponsor of SJM 8004 State Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-35) for his efforts to prevent the breaching of the Lower Snake River Dams
The Port of Lewiston needs those dams as they are vital to the operation of our port.
We thank all of you for your efforts!